(N.B.: You can tell that the demographics of this list have long since
left Detroit behind as its nexus - in years past we would've all
been talking about the lineup and accomo's and who's going, et al.
for days. This year it seems like the discussion was over in a day.)
Just thought I'd let you all know about what I've found - as of
yesterday, there were no free flights (using f-f award points/miles)
from LA to Detroit that weekend for under 50,000 miles. Today,
there were 14 such flight combinations - with the lowest being a mere
25,000 miles! So, clearly, some people grabbed seats and then gave
them up within 24 hours - so it's clear that, from here (LA) anyway,
some people were probably coming to the festival (I'm guessing
that's where those f-f mile seats were going to) but backed out.
There were also several seats available on the plane in general
coming out (on Friday).
Meanwhile, in the hotel situation, I went to Hotels.COM and there
was actually a room at the Ponch available for Sunday and Monday
night. And, most tellingly of all, there's rooms at the Days Inn
up the road a mile on Jefferson still available for Sunday and
Monday night (I didn't check Friday and Saturday night, as I'm
staying elsewhere those nights - thanks to you-know-who-you-are!),
for only $63.71 a night (direct Web rate on www.DaysInn.COM).
To me, the fact that these hotels are still available, even
after the lineup announcement and press conference (did it
happen?!?), says that out-of-towner attendance is likely to
be way down this year. I guess we'll see what happens ...
- Greg
